Author: Andres-Papazian

APA, Azerbaijan
May 27 2013

TEAS responds to Prince Charles’ private visit to Armenia
[ 27 May 2013 18:57 ]

Baku – APA. The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) notes that Prince
Charles is to pay a private visit to Armenia from 28-30 May at the
invitation of the Yerevan, My Love charity foundation, which aims `to
safeguard the historic districts of Yerevan and improve the life
experiences of young people from disadvantaged communities’, TEAS told
APA.

TEAS trusts that he will appreciate the architectural splendour of the
many mosques that once flourished in the city – surviving now,
unfortunately, only in old photographs – and will spare a thought for
the almost one million people of neighbouring Azerbaijan disadvantaged
by being driven from their homes by Armenian forces.

TEAS is pleased to acknowledge Prince Charles’ interest in the history
of the South Caucasus. During his visit to Armenia he will have the
opportunity to experience the country’s Christian church architecture.
However, TEAS is hopeful that he will find the opportunity to cross
the border to neighbouring Azerbaijan, where he will be able to
examine some of the oldest Christian churches in the Caucasus, as well
as synagogues, mosques and other places of worship, all of which bear
testament to that country’s long history of religious and ethnic
tolerance. In Baku, he will also find an Armenian Gregorian church
that has been restored with the support of the Azerbaijani government.
Of course, Prince Charles will have some difficulty in crossing the
border, as some 20% of Azerbaijan’s lands are still under Armenian
occupation, in a 20-year defiance of four UN resolutions. His meeting
with Armenian President Sargsyan will certainly be an opportunity to
advocate respect for international law.

The first day of his visit on 28 May will also coincide with
Azerbaijani Republic Day, which recalls the foundation of the
Azerbaijani Democratic Republic (ADR) in 1918. During its 23 months of
existence, the ADR was the first democratic and secular government in
the Muslim world. It was extremely progressive, introducing the
franchise for all women over the age of 18 years and establishing Baku
State University, amongst other developments. TEAS hopes that Prince
Charles will express his congratulations to the Azerbaijani people on
this important public holiday and further cement the long-standing
relations with a significant trading partner.

Lionel Zetter, Director, TEAS, said: “Prince Charles is quite rightly
universally admired for his ecumenical outlook, and his respect for
all faiths. Indeed, he publicly declared that he wished to be a
defender of all of the faiths. I hope he will visit Azerbaijan, where
he will be able to see mosques, synagogues and churches, and witness
the religious tolerance which is a hallmark of the country.”

From: A. Papazian

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
May 27 2013

Armenia can’t buy Iranian gas due to its high price

27 May 2013 – 5:38pm

Armenia is not buying gas from Iran because of its high cost compared
to Russian fuel, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Sargsyan, said.

“If we are able to supply cheaper gas from Iran, then, of course, we
will go for it, but at the moment Iranian gas is more expensive than
Russian, and here we have nothing to hide,” the head of the government
said in response to a question on the price increase of Russian gas.

In 2004, the Armenian government initiated construction of an
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to expand its gas import network. Armenia
started receiving Iranian gas through the pipeline on May 15, 2009.
Gas deliveries were agreed on the `Gas in exchange for electricity’
principle, ARKA reports.

According to the Public Services Regulatory Commission, Armenia
imported over 2.4 billion cubic meters of gas in 2012, of them over
1.9 billion were from Russia and 488.3 million from Iran.

On May 14, Armenia-based ArmRosgazprom CJSC and Transgaz Ltd.
requested Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory Commission to
re-evaluate the current natural gas tariff.

At present, the monthly tariff for consumers is 132 drams (including
VAT) per 1,000 cubic meters for those who consume up to 10,000 cubic
meters per month.

The request submitted by ArmRosgazprom states that the company, in
accordance with the agreement with Gazprom, has been paying $270 per
1,000 cubic meters at the border since 1 April. The minister, however,
says Armenia is and will be paying $180 until the talks over the
tariffs are finished.

From: A. Papazian

8,000 heads of cattle exported from Armenia to Iran’s West Azerbaijan province

18:20 27/05/2013 » ECONOMY

8,000 heads of cattle have been exported from Armenia to Iran’s West
Azerbaijan province, Shahram Dilmaghani, head of the Veterinary
Department of West Azerbaijan Administration, told state-run IRNA news
agency in an interview.

The Iranian official added that the cattle underwent a clinical
examination before being imported by Iran.

Source: Panorama.am

From: A. Papazian

CSTO foreign ministers adopt statement on Syria

May 27, 2013 | 12:33

Foreign Ministers of CSTO states on Monday signed a Russian-American
initiative on conveying a conference on Syria, Russian FM Sergey
Lavrov said.

The final statement adopted by CSTO ministers says the organization
stands for speediest solution to the crisis by Syrians.

The statement says Syrian developments are a major concern. The member
states support the speediest overcoming of the crisis by the Syrians
themselves while respecting the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab
Republic. In this regard, they consider it is necessary to stop
violence in the country, wherever it may come, and launch a broad
political dialogue between the authorities and the opposition without
preconditions..

The Ministers condemn any manifestation of terrorism and violence
against civilians and oppose illegal actions aimed at further
militarization of internal conflict, including illicit supplies of
weapons to the members of the armed opposition groups.

The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.

During the May 7 talks Russian FM Sergey Lavrov and Secretary of State
John Kerry announced plans of an international conference on Syria.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian

Is The Next To Invite Russian Troops To Armenia?

Member of Karabakh committee Ashot Manucharyan, commenting on Russia’s
latest steps relating to Armenia, said the reason is that Armenia has
cast Russia aside. Karabakh committee is believed to be the founder of
independent Armenia, and Ashot Manucharyan’s role in it was not
secondary at all. Had someone else made such a statement, we would
have ignored it, but Ashot’s statement is symbolic from different
points of view.

What does `casting aside’ mean in this case? First of all, it means
that the relations between Armenia and Russia have never had an
interstate and political character. They were `brotherly’ relations
hence the elder brother did whatever it wanted with the younger one,
treating Armenia as an outpost.

Russia had all the reasons for such an attitude. The
political-religious-business `elite’ of Armenia belongs to it, and it
has never had any problems with pushing forth its intentions and
interests. Moscow has been sure it would not have any issues with
Armenia.

But later it there turned to be issues and they multiplied and
intensified during the years of `cloudless brotherhood’. There have
always been issues, particularly relating to the fact that Moscow has
regularly given territories of its strategic partner with Turkey and
Azerbaijan. It is enough to remember the Moscow agreement of 1921
based on which part of Armenian territories were given to Turkey and
Armenian statehood was destroyed on the remaining part of territories.
During the Karabakh war, Russia launched two punitive campaigns
against Armenia, displacing thousands of Armenians and cleaning the
territory for Azerbaijan. Russia is supplying modern weapon to
Azerbaijan, creating obstacles at international levels for the
recognition of independence of Karabakh and eliminating Armenian
interests. It is now boosting the gas price announcing through
Armenian and Russian experts that it is a political decision. Foreign
minister Lavrov is stating the official position of Russia on Karabakh
and its intentions to hand it to Azerbaijan, like it did in 1921.

What has happened? What determines Russia’s hysteric reaction?
Apparently, it is determined by the fact that `brotherhood’ has
disappeared, and it is time to set up political relations. The point
is that for the first time Armenia stated about diversification of its
political and economic relations and reproached its `strategic’
partner for supplying arms to Azerbaijan. In other words, it called to
pass to political relations which either will be established or will
be destroyed.

Moscow understands this very well but they are unable to pass to
political relations. It is psychologically difficult for the Russians.
They are used to treating Armenians as second class people who never
create any problems, while Armenia’s contribution to the creation of
the empire is immense. This may be the reason of Moscow’s complexes
for which losing Armenis is the same as a geopolitical defeat.

Moscow is still unable to adjust to the new situation. It practices
the `stick and stick’ policy. There is no carrot and it is still to be
determined who provided the carrot previously. Being inadequate to the
situation, Moscow is blackmailing Armenia with the help of the
advocates of `brotherhood’. On the eve of the presidential election in
Armenia an attempt was made to shatter stability which failed. The
`instructive preaches’ also failed just like the political plans
relating to the PAP and Congress.

The most important thing happened. Armenians started revaluating
`brotherhood’ and the behavior of Russia at the most decisive
historical moments. This is the most dangerous thing for Moscow since
its rule in Armenia is based on the myth of the `savior and elder
brother’. This myth is losing it vitality.

So, in this situation, Ashot Manucharyan states that Armenia cast
Russia aside when Armenia has always been loyal to its commitments
within the frameworks of the CSTO and `strategic partnership’. It
turns out that Russia had the right to treat Armenia the way it did
and use it fully, and as soon as Armenia tries to resist to such
`occupation’, it casts Russia aside. Perhaps, as one of the founders
of this republic who once failed to cast Russia aside and strengthen
the independence of this country, Ashot Manucharyan made this
statement with inner pride.

In order to save the `brotherhood’ the next is to invite Russian
troops to Armenia. Such people will also be found, but they are not
required particularly.

Haik Aramyan
12:07 27/05/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

From: A. Papazian

Bishkek to host non-official summit of CSTO Presidents

12:03 27.05.2013

The non-official meeting of the Presidents of member states of the
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will take place in
Bishkek on May 28, Kremlin’s official website informs.

The Presidents of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and
Tajikistan will discuss urgent international and regional issues, as
well as the further development of cooperation within the framework of
the CSTO.

A number of bilateral meetings will take place on the sidelines of the
non-official summit.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIDJAN
Azerbaïdjan : Emprisonné à cause d’un Harlem Shake

Ne pas apprécier le Harlem Shake, c’est une chose. Mais au point
d’envoyer quelqu’un en prison, c’est d’un tout autre niveau. C’est
pourtant ce qui est arrivé à un jeune homme en Azerbaïdjan, rapporte
Slate.

Ce jeune activiste azerbaïdjanais a été arrêté pour hooliganisme, à
cause de son implication présumée dans une vidéo de Harlem Shake,
tournée à Bakou, la capitale du pays. Même pas présent sur les images

Publiée plus de deux mois avant son arrestation, la vidéo ne semble
pourtant revêtir aucun caractère politique. Et le militant emprisonné
n’apparaît même pas sur les images. Le gouvernement affirme cependant
qu’il a aidé a filmé, ce que dément l’avocat du suspect.

Deux jours à peine avant son interpellation, l’homme venait de purger
15 jours de détention administrative pour avoir participé à un
rassemblement pacifique, en commémoration des victimes de la fusillade
de 2009 à l’Académie nationale du pétrole d’Azerbaïdjan, détaille
Slate.

L’homme, dont l’emprisonnement semble plutôt lié à des motifs
politiques, a d’ores et déjà été condamné à deux mois de détention
préventive. Il risque jusqu’à cinq ans de prison s’il est jugé
coupable de hooliganisme.

lundi 27 mai 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

Arménie
74% des Arméniens prêts à quitter le pays ?

Selon le site d’information arménien Lurer.com, 74% des Arméniens
seraient prêts à quitter le pays.

A la question posée à 7880 lecteurs de Lurer : « Est-ce que vous
voudriez émigrer d’Arménie ?`, 5820 personnes ont répondu
positivement, tandis que 16% (1290 lecteurs) pensent qu’ils ne
quitteront jamais l’Arménie. 10% (770 lecteurs) n’ont pas pu se
prononcer.

Le résultat de l’enquête de ce journal, bien que spectaculaire, n’a
qu’une valeur indicative et ne saurait se substituer à un sondage
établi en bonne et due forme selon la méthode des quotas.

lundi 27 mai 2013,
Jean Eckian ©armenews.com

From: A. Papazian

CSTO Foreign Ministers reiterate the need to solve Karabakh issue
exceptionally in a peaceful way

14:00 27.05.2013

On May 27 Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian participated in
the regular sitting of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers in
Bishkek.

Issues related to the further coordination of foreign policies of the
member states within the framework of the CSTO and the improvement of
mechanisms in the sphere were discussed at the meeting.

The Foreign Ministers of CSTO member states discussed and approved the
draft joint statement on international issues, thus reiterating the
approaches of the member states on issues of regional and
international agenda. Among others, the statement refers to the
Karabakh conflict.

`Reiterating the need to resolve the Nagorno Karabakh issue
exceptionally in a peaceful way, the CSTO member states underline the
importance of completing as soon as possible the work on the basic
principles of settlement of the Karabaakh conflict with the mediation
of the OSCE Misnk Group Co-chairs on the basis of the principles and
norms of international law, the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act,
which include non-use of force or the threat of force, territorial
integrity and the right of peoples to self determination,’ the
statement reads.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, Defense Minister Seyran
Ohanyan and Secretary of the National Security Council Arthur
Baghdasaryan participated in the joint sitting of the CSTO Council of
Foreign Ministers, Council of Defense Ministers and the Committee of
National Security Secretaries. The meeting covered issues of
improvement of the mechanisms of resisting to security challenges in
CSTO member states.

From: A. Papazian

Pause Or Time Of Developments

As previously assumed, the events and processes in Central Asia will
have serious implications on the situation in the South Caucasus.
However, the withdrawal or significant reduction of NATO forces in
Afghanistan, as well as a variety of problems in relation with NATO
countries in the region, led to a pause in the activity of the
alliance and, above all, of the United States.

Americans and their partners are forced, when solving the issue on the
withdrawal of troops, to interpret at the same time new formats of
presence and participation in regional processes. It has now become
evident that such tasks, like ensuring the current level of
`stability’ in Afghanistan and in other countries of Central Asia,
can’t be considered as determining in the formation of the new U.S.
strategy. Stability and security in the region can become
self-sufficient goals and, most likely, will demand integration into
other, more global problems.

For the U.S., the global problem is still the repression of China’s
ambitions in all directions including the Western one, hence in the
Central Asia direction too. The implementation of this task requires
the presence of regional partners, but it will be a disaster, because
none of the states of Eurasia, including Russia, wishes to become an
element or a participant in the strategy, and enters even in an
indirect confrontation with China.

Beyond curtailment of political and geopolitical strategies of Europe,
the curtailment of U.S. military presence in Europe and partly in the
Middle East, as well as the `translation’ of accents of strategy in
the Asia-Pacific region leads to a certain isolation of the U.S. from
its traditional partners in Europe which are going to continue to cut
military costs.

If the states of Southeast Asia and the Far East, fearing China’s
expansions, agree, actually with all initiatives of the U.S. in the
sphere of global and regional security, then the states of the Central
Asia are evidently not ready and, apparently, will never be ready to
such initiatives. A different game will be carried out in this region,
not similar to the Pacific and the Far East, and the `Chinese problem’
of the U.S. will be presented here in a veiled form.

Nevertheless, Central Asia will participate in the political processes
of Eurasia and the world, and the U.S. namely will become its
locomotive and will carry out the role of the `insurance company’ for
the countries of the region. On this arena, the realization of foreign
political and geo-economic ambitions of India will happen, which is
becoming a more important partner of the U.S. in Asia. The
strengthening of positions of Iran and the U.S. in the Central Asia,
not only in Afghanistan but also relating to the solution of issues
related to Pakistan is not ruled out at all.

There is no country now which is more interested in cooperation with
Iran than the U.S. For Iran, the decrease of tension and certain
cooperation with the U.S. could be decisive for many issues in the
sphere of economy and security. Neither Turkey, nor Russia managed and
wanted to continue supporting Iran; while the events in Syria showed
unprecedented similarity and proximity of the interests of the U.S.
and Iran in the long term. U.S. realized that without a partnership
with Shiite countries of the Middle East the priorities cannot be
achieved.

The American establishment, both in the left-liberal and
right-conservative camps, understands that the settlement of relations
with Iran will allow significantly cutting military costs of the U.S.
in regions and ensure many plots in the global and regional security.
Like previously, Turkey will fail to achieve stronger positions in
Central Asia, but it is not even interested in this.

The policies of Russia in Central Asia are evidently disproportionate,
taking into account the fact that in case of quite convincing military
presence and influence, the economic positions are extremely
insufficient. Central Asia states will prefer a more or less neutral
situation, but they understand that the main provider of security in
perspective will remain the U.S. and NATO despite the successful
cooperation with CSTO.

However, the transit route of the South Caucasus, after the decision
on the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan will be reduced, and this
will be the beginning of formation of the new features of the region.
Now it is the time to think about the new format of the coexistence of
the South Caucasus with the leading centers of power. It is clear that
in the South Caucasus reshaping of the balance of forces, the
emergence of new political-military ligaments began, which is very
unexpected bearing in mind the previous confrontational period.
Everyone chooses their own goals and priorities, in any case, it is
alleged so.

There is enough time, but time is not waiting.

15:55 27/05/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

From: A. Papazian